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Jackson jurors see Neverland
20/05/2005 08:20 - (SA)
California - Jurors at Michael Jackson's child sex trial on Thursday got a rare glimpse into the fantasy world the pop star calls home, a sprawling estate filled with statues of young children, games and amusement park rides.
In an evident bid to demonstrate what they claim is Jackson's innocent love of children, his lawyers screened the 19-minute video depicting Neverland Ranch, where the famed entertainer is alleged to have fondled a 13-year-old boy two years ago.
Neither Jackson nor any of the children who have been frequent visitors to the bizarre home are seen in the silent movie.
But the camera zooms in on a yellow caution sign that tells visitors there are "Children at Play," and focuses on 15 statues of young boys and girls.
Jurors also saw brightly coloured paintings depicting a smiling Jackson surrounded by beaming children of all races.
Could count against him
Some of the faces are easily recognisable, including that of a young Macaulay Culkin, the Home Alone star who recently took the witness stand to deny claims he was molested when he shared Jackson's bed at Neverland.
The imaginary visitor is taken to the amusement park, where the defence pointed out Jackson invited hundreds of underprivileged children to enjoy the rollercoaster and other rides.
Jurors got to see an elephant, giraffes and llamas in Jackson's private zoo, which witnesses who were regulars at Neverland as young boys said they often visited with the now 46-year-old Jackson.
But notably absent was the lion, which had come up in testimony when a witness who often visited Neverland as a young boy admitted he and Jackson would hurl stones at the big cat's cage to get it to roar.
The tour heads through the movie theatre where Jackson's accuser allegedly gorged himself on candy, and the video arcade where young visitors liked to hang out with Jackson.
In the main residence, a blackboard bears the words "I love you Daddy" signed by Jackson's daughter Paris.
"The movie is very effective in showing Jackson's love for children," said former prosecutor Laurie Levenson, who has been following the trial.
"But it could be a double-edged sword," she said.
"Some jurors may feel only a paedophile would have paintings of himself as the Pied Piper surrounded by children."
The film, dismissed by prosecutor Tom Sneddon as "propaganda" also focused on specific issues raised during the trial.
Jackson's lawyers have ridiculed claims the family was held prisoner at Neverland, insisting that they could easily have walked over the low barrier that surrounds the estate, and which is clearly visible in the film.
The camera also pans over Jackson's library and book storage areas, focusing on the Bible, French classics and history books, in sharp contrast with the graphic magazines jurors were shown earlier as the prosecution argued that Jackson used porn to "groom" boys for sex.
- AFP
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